Furnace structure



\May 4 1954 R. souTHERN E-rAL 2,677,710

FURNACE STRUCTURE Filed (Dec, 26. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l |99 25a y |9o t |84 |86 1 l m21 F im l m j i 2. l `l l I 2042K) 20e 98 .L @V 58 |66 Q Fll ,El |2 :8g: 248( 1 200 r |92 |66 ge. E 25s sgi :UIT Er 260 72 p 66 7o |35 d Us:I 262 76 ,65 l .Ql' 0g as 52! l 4 8 82 111 gg' 264 42 L 58 40 4B 44 5o 'f l rm 52 1 \l\1 30 3436 INVENTORS Reymond Louthern 8| B Lyman D.Toylor.

May 4` 1954 R. SOUTHERN ET A1.

FURNACE STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1952 IN VEN '1`0RS Raymond Lsouthern 8:

BY Ly man D. Taylor.

May 4, 1954 R. L. SOUTHERN ET AL 2,677,710

FURNACE STRUCTURE Filed Dec, 26, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 N Q INVENTORS E N Q Raymond I .Souihern 81 BY Lyman D.Tc|y|or.

Patented 'May 4, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FURNACE STRUCTURE Raymond L. Southern, Henderson, Nev., and

Lyman D. Taylor, Troy, N. Y., assignors to Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation, Brackenrdge, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 26, 1952, Serial No. 327,982

9 Claims. l

This invention relates to furnaces and in particular to furnace structure for use in conjunction with the melting of consumable electrodes.

Recent developments in the titanium metal field have made possible the production of commercially desirable titanium and titanium base alloys. However, the melting facilities for commercially producing such desirable metal have proven to be entirely inadequate for the high production of alloys of commercial quality. A recent advance in such production practices has been to melt consumable electrodes of sponge titanium or scrap titanium metal and/or alloy to form ingots of the metal.

It has been difficult heretofore to produce large ingots of titanium metal where consumable electrodes are employed because the furnace facilities available have been inadequate to handle large electrodes weighing in the order of several hundred pounds. to form the large ingot by using a multiplicity of small consumable electrodes fed and melted in sequence, it has been found that the resulting ingot is usually contaminated. On the other hand, where attempts have been made to use large electrodes, the Weight of the electrode is so great that difficulty has been encountered in loading' the electrode into the furnace, the electrode often breaking under its own weight when held unsupported in a horizontal position.

An object of this invention is to provide a furnace structure for facilitating the loading and melting of large consumable electrodes.

Another object of this invention is to provide tiltable furnace structure having means therein for supporting an electrode as it is loaded into the furnace.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tiltable furnace structure having an endless chain disposed for operation therein provided with a clamping means for holding and supporting an electrode in operative relation with respect to a crucible in which the electrode is to be melted.

A more specific object of this invention is the provision in a tiltable furnace structure of an endless chain provided with an electrode clamping member and having pads thereon for supporting the electrode as the electrode is loaded into the furnace and a means for guiding the clamping member for a movement in a predetermined path in response to movement of the endless chain.

Other objects of this invention Will become apparent from the following description when Where attempts have been made taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation and partly in section of a furnace structure embodying the teachings of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation and partly in section of the structure of Fig. 1 illustrating the structure as tilted;

Fig. 3 is a view in section and greatly enlarged oi a portion of the structure of Fig. 1 as taken along the line III-III thereof;

Fig. 4 is a View in section and greatly enlarged of another portion of the structure of Fig. 1 as taken along the line IV--IV thereof;

Fig. 5 is a detailed plan view, greatly enlarged, illustrating the mounting of a clamping member on an endless chain as used in the structure of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view, greatly enlarged, of a portion of the structure of Fig. 1 taken along the line VL-VI thereof.

Referring to the drawing and in particular to Fig. 1 thereof, this invention is illustrated by reference to a furnace structure shown generally at Hl. The furnace structure l5 comprises an upper section I2, an intermediate portion lll, and an insulating jacket or portion It, all of which when assembled is disposed to be seated in aligned relation with a crucible I3 which is disposed in a water jacket 2e. The structures of the crucible I8 and Water jacket 20 are well-known, the crucible usually being formed of copper or another highly conductive metal, while the water jacket 2li disposed about the Crucible i8 is provided with an inlet 22 and an outlet '2t for supplying a flow of cooling water 25 about the crucible I8.

The water jacket 2s is usually disposed in a pit so that the rim member 26 of the water jacket is at the level of the floor or other suitable foundation 28. As illustrated, the crucible I3 is also provided with a rim member 30 disposed to seat on the rim member 26 of the water jacket 2li, a gasket 32 of dielectric material being disposed between the rims 25 and 3E for providing a tight seal therebetween. In practice the rim Sli of the Crucible i8 is provided with a terminal lug 34 which is disposed to be connected as by means of a cable 36 to a terminal of positive polarity of a suitable source (not shown) of direct current power supply.

rrhe insulating jacket I6 is formed of a pair of spaced wall members 38 and :le disposed between an upper plate rim member 4Z and a lower plate rim member 44. As illustrated, the insulating jacket or portion le is provided with a suitable inlet it and an outlet for circulating cooling water in the space iormed between the wall members 3%3 and et. in outlet pipe 5t is also disposed to extend through both oi the wall members 3S anad et into the cavity formed by the inner wall member :lil for the purpose of providing 'for the escape of the atmosphere within the furnace structure as will be explained more fully hereinafter. The lower rim member 44 oi the insulating portion it is of a size to seat on the rim member 3s of the crucible I8, a gasket 52 of dielectric material being normally disposed between the rim members Ml and 3b for providing a tight leak-proof joint therebetween when the insulating portion It is assembled on the Crucible I8 secured thereto as by means of spaced insulated bolts 5t. As illustrated, the upper rim plate member S2 is provided with an opening 56 of a size suitable to accommodate an electrode 5S which is to be disposed in the furnace structure Iii as will be described hereinafter, the plate member being provided with roller members disposed about the periphery of a rectangular opening therein, one of the rollers 5t along one edge of. the opening V; thereof being disposed to be engaged by a surface of the electrode 58 under loading conditions. Each of the rollers S is preferably supported in spaced bearing blocks e2 which are secured to the upper o surface of the plate rim member t2 in any suitable manner, an embodiment being hereinafter described.

The intermediate portion Ill is formed of two sections 66 and 68 having a common plate rim member 'l0 between the vertical side wall mem bers 'l2 and 76, respectively. The side wall member 'lr6 is provided with a lower rim member 18 disposed to seat on the plate rim member 42 of the insulating portion |6, a gasket 80 being disposed therebetween for providing a leak-proof joint therebetween when the rim members 18 and 42 are secured as by means of spaced bolts 82. Likewise the wall member 12 of the upper section 6G is provided with an upper plate member 84 which is of a size to extend across the wall member 'l2 to provide a ledge llt extending inwardly thereof for supporting a substantially rectangular structural frame member 83 as will be descirbed more fully hereinafter, the frame member 88 being preferably welded thereto.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the internal structure of the intermediate section I4 is more clearly illustrated. Thus, the upper plate rim member 'I0 is illustrated in Fig. 4 as being provided with a pair of downward depending bearing housings 90 and S2 which are secured in spaced relation on the rim member lli as by means of bolts @4 and 96, respectively. The bearing housings 90 and 92 are disposed to support a shaft et which carries a sprocket drive wheel Hill therebetween, the shaft 98 extending through a suitable gland seal |02 in the side wall 'It to be driven by a suitable drive |04 which is carried on the upper surface of the lower rim member lli, such rim mexnber 'I8 having an extension along one side which will function as a platform or support for thc drive unit |04. The details of the mounting of the rollers 60 are also more clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, each of the rollers `Si) preferably being of steel and being mounted in bearings |06 preferably formed of an insulating fibrous material impregnated with a condensation resin.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, a pair of the adjacent rollers 60 are provided with fixed bearing blocks 62 which are rigidly secured to the upper surface of the plate rim member 42 by means of bolts 64. The pair of rollers 60 mounted diametri-cally opposite the pair of fixed rollers are provided with slideably mounted bearing blocks 62 so biased by springs 63 and assembled in a holding member S as toA permit transverse movement thereof to insure the positioning of the rollers E0 diametrically opposite the pair of fixed rollers 60 to engage the electrode 5B whereby the four rollers 60 engage the four sides `of the electrode 58. rllhe rollers 60 about the opening 56 thus cooperate in guiding the electrode 58 when the furnace structure I0 is in the vertical position illustrated in Fig. l.

The intermediate portion |4 is also provided with. a pair of sliding electrical contact members |08 and I I0 for engaging opposite surfaces of the electrode 58 as more clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. Thus, the sliding electrical contact members |08 and ||0 are 4pivotally mounted as at |09 and lli, respectively, on arms ||2 and IM, respectively, which are pivote-ily secured as at ||3 and ||5, respectively, to suitable brackets IIB and H8, respectively, carried by the under surface of the rim member 10. The pivotally mounted contact members |68 and ||0 are disposed to be biased into engagement with the electrode 58 as by means of spring members and |22, respectively, the Contact members being electrically connected as by means of conductors |24 and |26, respectively, to a terminal block` |28 carried on the inner surface of the wall member 'I6 of such portion. The terminal block |28 is preferably of conducting material being insulated from the wall member 16 as by means of a, sheet |30 of suitable insulating material, one of the studs |32 extending through the side wall member l5 and being suitably insulated therefrom as by an insulating bushing (not shown) to be connected by a cable |34 to a terminal of negative polarity of the source (not shown) of the direct current source of power supply. A gas inlet |35, illustrated in Fig. l, is provided for admitting a suitable gas to the furnace structure las will be referred to hereinafter.

The substantially rectangular structural frame S8 referred to hereinbefore as -being welded to and supported by the ledge 86 of the rim 84 is more clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 6 the frame member comprises four vertical angle members |35, |38, |40, and |42 disposed in spaced relation with each other to deiine the vertically extending corners of the frame 86. The angle members |35 and |38 are connected by a series of cross braces |44 and |45 which extend diagonally between the edges of the angle members |30 and |38 and are preferably secured thereto as by means of welding. The other edges of the angle members ISS and |38 are connected to adjacent edges of the angle members |40 and |42, respectively, by means of cross braces |48- IEQ and |52-|54, respectively, it being noted that such cross braces are secured to flange plates |55` and |58, respectively, which in turn are secured to the angle members |35 and |38, respectively, a plurality of diagonal braces |00 and |62, respectively, being disposed to extend along the edge of the flange plates |56 and 58, respectively, between the angle members |36 `and |38, respectively, and the associated cross braces ills-| and ISLAM., respectively. The di agonal braces and the associated iiange plates, angle members and cross braces are all welded together to provide a strong structure. The other edges of the angle members |40 and |42 are secured together and supported as by means of cross braces |64 and |66 in the same manner that cross braces |44 and |46 secure the edges of the angle members |36 and 38. Spaced flange members |66, |10, |72, land |14 are also associated with and welded to the angle members |36, |38, |40, and |42, respectively, to reinforce such angle members.

In order to provide a guide means, as will be referred to hereinafter, vertical straps |16 and |18 are disposed in the frame member 88 in spaced relation 'and parallel to one of the sides of the angle members |40 and |42, respectively. The vertical strapsv are maintained in spaced relation by means of spacer members |80 and |82, respectively, a plurality of such `spacer members being disposed in spaced aligned relation between and welded to their associated verti-cal straps and the associated angle members. The straps |16 and |18 are disposed to seat against their associated cross braces |48-|50 and |-52-| 54, respectively, being preferably welded in assembled relation therewith.

As more clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the substantially rectangular structural frame member 68 is provided with an upper rim plate member |94 which is disposed to carry and support a pair of spaced bearing housings |06, only one of which is illustrated, similar to the bearing housings 90 and 92, the bearing housings |86 being disposed to support a shaft |88 upon which a sprocket wheel |90 is mounted. When assembled, the sprocket wheel 90 is in alignment with the sprocket drive wheel carried in the intermediate portion I4. An endless chain |92 is disposed about the sprocket wheels |00 and |90 for movement in response to operation of the drive unit |04 to drive the shaft 98. In order to support the stretch of the endless chain |92 to maintain it in an operative position, idler sprocket wheels |94 and |96 are mounted in suitable bearing housings |98 and 290, respectively, which are secured as by welding or bolting the bearing housings to the cross braces |64 and |66 of the frame member 8B. The idler sprocket wheels |94 and |96 are preferably disposed in spaced relation and while only two of such sprocket wheels are illustrated, it will 'be understood that any number thereof may be employed for the purpose of supporting the stretch of the endless chain |92.

In order to hold an end of the electrode 58 to thereby control movement thereof, a split clampmember 202 is disposed to be carried bythe endless chain 62. The details of the split clamping member 202 Yare more clearly illustrated in Figs. and 6 of the drawings, such clamping member comprising two half sections 204 and 206 disposed to be secured together by means of bolts 206 and 2|0 which extend through flanges carried by the ends of the half sections l204 and 206. The half sections 204 and 206 are preferably of a shape so that when secured together the clamping member 202 is preferably of an octagon shape for engaging at least two sides of an electrode member 58 when seated thereon in clamping engagement therewith. The half section 206 of the clamping member is provided with two spaced lugs 2|2 and 2|4 extending along one side thereof. The lugs 2 |2 and 2|4 are preferably spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the endless chain |92 so 6 that when the endless chain is disposed between such lugs, there is a tight t therebetween.

In order to secure the lugs 2|2 and 2 I4 to the endless chain |92 and thereby provide for supporting the clamping member 202, the endless chain is preferably formed with certain of the links thereof having outwardly extending flanges 2|6 and 2 I8 as clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 so that when the chain |92 is disposed between the lugs 2|2 and 2|4, the lugs 2|6 and 2|9, respectively, will seat thereon and can be secured thereto as by means of the set screws or bolts 220 and 222, respectively. The half section 206 of 4the clamp 202 is thus secured to the endless chain |92 and is disposed for movement in response to operation of the endless chain |92.

In order to guide the clamping member 202 so as to limit sideways movement thereof and provide for only a predetermined path of movement for the clamping member within the frame 86, the half section 206 of the clamping member 202 is provided with two pairs of spaced opposed roller members 224 and 226 (see Figs. 5 and 6) disposed to seat within the space formed between the vertical straps |16 and |10, respectively, and their associated angle members |40 and |42, respectively. rPhe rollers 224 and 226 are preferably mounted on lugs 228 and 230, respectively, carried by the half section 206 of the clamping member being secured thereto by setscrews 232 and 234, respectively, the shaft of the setscrews forming bearings for the roller members 224 and 226 whereas the heads of the setscrews serve to retain the roller members in position. The roller members 224 and 226 are of a size to have only a small clearance between the associated vertical straps and angle members so that very little sideways movement of the roller members 224 and 226 therebetween is permitted to limit corresponding sideways movement of the clamping member 202. By employing two sets of the rollers y224 and 226 as shown in Fig. 5, the effect of torque by reason of the weight of the off-center support of the electrode under operating conditions will be overcome.

The half section 206 is also provided with a pair of roller members 236 and 233 similarly mounted on lugs 240 and 242, respectively, by means of the setscrews 244 and 246, respective- 1y. The roller members 236 and 238 are disposed closely adjacent to a surface of associated angle members |40 and |42, respectively, to limit sideways movement of the clamping member y202 in a direction between the angle members |40 and |42. Thus, it is apparent that the roller members` 224 and 226 limit sideways movement of the clamping member 202 in one direction, whereas roller members 236 and 266 limit the sideways movement of the clamping member 202 in the opposite direction. By thus limiting sideways movement of the clamping member 202, a predetermined path of movement of the clamping member 202 is obtained in response to a movement of the endless chain |92 and the end.- less chain |92 is guided so as to always be engaged by the sprocket wheels which support and guide the endless chain.

As illustrated in Figs. l, 2, and 4, the endless chain |92 is also provided with a plurality of spaced pad members 249 which extend. across the face of the endless chain and is provided with side flange members 250 which are disposed to be secured to the sides of the links of the endless chain |92. The pad members 240 are preferably of metal for resisting abrasion as will be l understood more clearly hereinafter and are of a size to project outwardly from the endless chain |02 to engage a surface of the electrode 50 under loading conditions.

In order to provide a cover for the frame member 88 and the drive mechanism, the upper section I2 is provided, being of a size to seat over the elongated frame member and the endless chain drive |92 for the clamping member 202. The upper section l2 is preferably a sealed cylindrical container being provided with a lower rim member 252 disposed to seat on the upper rim member of the intermediate portion I4 and to be secured thereto as by means of spaced bolts 254, a suitable gasket material 255 being disposed therebetween in a groove formed in the rim member 04 for providing a sealed joint therebetween. The upper section i2 :is also preferably provided with an eyebolt `250 adjacent its upper end for facilitating pivotal movement of the furnace structure under certain operating conditions.

In order to provide for tilting of the upper section l2 of the furnace structure, either with or without the insulating portion It secured thereto, the intermediate section lll is provided with a yoke member 250 which may he secured thereto in any suitable manner, the end of the yoke member 250 being pivotally mounted at 202 on a pedestal 254 which is seated. on and secured to the foundation. 20. Thus, the furnace structure can be tilted from the vertical position illustrated in Fig. l to a horizontal position such as is illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings,

In operation, where it is desired to load consumable electrode 5e into the furnace structure l2, the bolts 54 or the bolts 02 are first removed depending upon whether or not it is desired to move the insulating portion l5 as a part L of the furnace structure. In the embodiment illustrated in 2, the insulating portion is retained in its assembled position with respect to the intermediate section it. Thereafter a suitable hoist (not shown) is secured to the eyebolt 253 and the furnace structure is tilted about its pivot 252 to the horizontal position illustrated in Fig. 2.

In order to load the electrode 58 into the furnace structure, the upper housing section i2 is i preferably removed from its assembled position on the intermediate section lll by removing the bolts 254 to expose the fra-rnc member 03 and the clamping member 202 carried by the endless chain |92. The clamping member 202 is then actuated by operating the sprocket drive wheel |00 to a position closely adjacent the common rim member 'l0 of the intermediate section I4. With the clamping member 202 in this position, the bolts 208 and 2|0 are loosened so that the half portions of the clamping member 202 can be spread somewhat to receive an end of the electrode 58 as the electrode is lifted and admitted to the lower portion of the furnace structure. Where the insulating portion l0 is retained an integral part of theI tilted furnace structure, the end of the electrode is seated on of the fixed rollers 00 and is then manually moved to a position where the end of the electrode is placed between the half portions of the clamping roember 202. The bolts 208 and 2|0 then tightened to secure the end of the electrode in the clamping member 202 and the drive unit 04 is operated to drive the sprocket wheel |08 to move the clamping member 202 toward the right of .the structure illustrated in Fig. 2. As the electrode 58 is moved through the intermediate portion |4 by such movement of the clamping inember 202, the electrode 58 sags slightly under its own weight and the pads 248 are moved in response to the movement of the endless chain |92 into progressive engagement with the lower surface of the horizontally extending electrode 58 to thereby cooperate with the roller 60 to support the weight of the electrode 58 as the clamping member 202 is moved to a position closely adjacent to the upper plate rim member |34 of the frame member 88. In this position the electrode is usually within the confines of the tilted furnace structure. The upper housing portion. l2 is then replaced in operative assembled position being secured in such position by the bolts 254.

After the electrode 5B is loaded into the furnace structure in the manner just described, the furnace structure is tilted from the horizontal position illustrated in Fig. 2 to the vertical position illustrated in Fig. 1 where the furnace structure is in alignment with and is secured in seated sealed relation with the Crucible l0. The cruciblc l0 is usually provided with an initial supply 265 of metal which is to form a component of the ingot to be melted so that as the electrode 53 is lowered into arcing engagement with the initial supply 260 of metal to be melted, an arc will readily be formed between the electrode 50 and the initial supply 266. In tilting the furnace structure from` the horizontal to the vertical position, it is to be noted that the weight of the l electrode 58 is supported by only the clamping member 202 carried by the endless chain |92 when the structure is in the vertical position. is evident for the clamping member 202 in effect forms an off-center support for the electrode 58 and the weight of the electrode causes the electrode to swing, as the structure moves to the vertical position, from an` engaging position with respect to the pads 243 to a position where the electrode 58 is free from engaging the pads and is supported by only the clamping member 202 in a. position substantially central with respect to the Crucible I8 whereby arcing between the electrode 58 and the side walls of the Crucible I8 will be prevented.

After the furnace structure is positioned and sealed in the vertical position illustrated in` Fig. 1 and the water jacket 20 and insulating jacket I5 are connected to a supply of cooling water, a gas, such as argon or helium, which is noncontaminating to titanium metal is admitted to the sea-led furnace structure through the inlet |35 provided in the intermediate portion I4 to flush the entire sealed container, the flushing gas escaping through the outlet 50. When the furnace structure is satisfactorily purged, the cables 35 and |34 are energized and the electrode 53 is lowered as by operating the driving unit |04 to effect an operation of the endless chain |92 toy lower the clamping member 202 and electrode 58 carried thereby to a position where an aro is established between the lower end of the electrode 58 and the initial supply 205 of metal in the Crucible I8. The non-contaminating gas is preferably supplied to the furnace structure throughout the melting operation. The driving unit |04 is preferably controlled in response to either the aro current or the arc voltage of the arc so as to maintain a substantially constant melting of the electrode 58, such controls being well-known to the electrical art. As is evident 9 during such downward movement of the electrode 58 during the melting cycle thereof, sideways movement is substantially prevented by reason of the guide rollers carried by the clamping member 202 which cooperate with the frame member S8 and the spaced rollers S0 to prevent any substantial sideways movement of the clamping member 202 and consequently the electrode 58 carried thereby. Continuous melting of the Velectrode 58 is maintained to produce a large ingot in the Crucible I8 until the clamping member 202 is lowered to a position where it is closely adjacent the rim plate member 'l0 of the intermediate section I4.

When the electrode 58 is thus melted, the power supply to the electrode is interrupted and the driving unit |04 is energized to effect an operation of the endless chain E52 in a direction to raise the clamping member 262 to lposition where the unmelted butt end of the electrode that is held in the clamping member 2a.? clearsthe Crucible i3` or the insulating section l depending' upon whether or Anot the insulating section is to be moved with the furnace structure about the pivot 262. The furnace structure is. preferably maintained in its operative position with respect to the Crucible until after solidification of the ingot thus formed in the crucible I3. Thereafterthe supply of non-contaminating gas` and cooling water to the furnace structure is interrupted and the Vfurnace structure is then tilted tothe horizontal position described hereinbefore where the upper housing section l2 can be removed therefrom and the butt end of the electrode can be removed from the clamping member 202.

The apparatus of this invention facilitates the loading and melting of large consumable electrodes weighing several hundred pounds without encountering breakage of such electrodesduring the loading of the furnace structure. A simple guide mechanism is provided for insuring the proper positioning of the electrode for the efcient melting thereof without encountering arcing between the electrode and the side walls. of

the crucible in which the ingot is formed. Further, the furnace structure is-formed of standard components and can -be readily reproduced by anyone skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. In a furnace structure for use in melting a consumable electrode in a crumble, the combination comprising, a housing disposed to be tilted between a horizontal position for admitting the electrode thereto and a vertical position in aligned seating relation with the Crucible for feeding the electrode thereto, an endless chain disposed for lengthwise movement in the housing, means carried bythe chain for receiving and holding an end of the electrode and effecting movement of the electrode in response to movement of the chain, and a plurality of pads carried by the chain in spaced relation to one another, the pads being disposed to progressively engage a surface of the electrode as the electrode is moved into the housing to support the electrode during such movement.

2. In a furnace structure for use in melting a consumable electrode in a crucible, the combination comprising, a housing disposed to be tilted between a horizontal position for admitting the electrode thereto and a vertical position in aligned seating relation with the crucible for feeding the electrode thereto, an endless chain disposed for lengthwise movement in the housing, means car- 10 ried by the chain disposed to receive and hold an end of the electrode for effecting movement thereof in response to movement of the chain, a plurality of pads carried by the chain in spaced relation to one another, the pads being disposed to progressively engage a surface of the electrode as the electrode is moved into the housing to support the electrode during such movement, and means disposed to support the chain to maintain the pads in said progressive supporting engagement with the surface of the electrode while the housing is in the horizontal tilted position.

3. In a furnace structure for use in melting a consumable electrode in a Crucible, the combination comprising, a housing disposed to be tilted between a horizontal position for admitting the electrode thereto and a vertical position irr aligned seating relation with the Crucible for feeding the electrode thereto, an endless chain disposed for lengthwise movement in the housing, means carried by the chain for receiving and holding an end of the electrode and effecting movement of the electrode in response to movement of the chain, guide means disposed within the housing for cooperating withl the holding means to limit the path of movement thereof to a predetermined path in response to the movement of the chain, and a plurality of pads carried by the chain in spaced relation to one another, the pads being disposed to progressively engage a surface of the electrode as the electrode is moved into the housing to support the electrede during such movement.

4. In a furnace structure for use in melting a consumable electrode in a crucible, the combination comprising, a housing disposed to be tilted between a vertical position with its lower end in seating relation with the crucible and a horizontal position for admitting the electrode there- A to, an endless chain disposed for longitudinal movement in the housing, means carried by the chain disposed to receive and hold an end of the electrode as it is admitted to the housing for effecting movement thereof in response to movement of the chain, roller means carried by the housing adjacent the lower end thereof disposed to engage a surface of the electrode as it is admitted to the housing, and a plurality of pads carried by the chain in spaced relation to one another to progressively engage said surface of the electrode as the electrode is moved into the housing, the pads and roller means cooperating to support the electrode during its movement into the housing.

5. In a furnace structure for use in melting a consumable electrode in a Crucible, the combination comprising, a housing disposed to be tilted between a vertical position with its lower end in seating relation with the crucible and a horizontal position for admitting the electrode thereto, an endless chain disposed for longitudinal movement in the housing, means carried by the chain disposed to receive and hold an end of the electrode as it is admitted to the housing for eifectin-g movement thereof in response to movement of the chain, guide means disposed within the housing for cooperating with the holding means to provide a predetermined path of movement thereof in response to the movement of the chain, roller means carried by the housing adjacent the lower end thereof disposed to engage a surface of the electrode as it is admitted to the housing, and a plurality of pads carried by the chain in spaced relation to one another to progressively engage said surface of the electrode as the electrode is moved into the housing, the pads and roller means Cooperating to support the electrode during the movement into the housing.

6. In a furnace structure for use in melting a consumable electrode in a Crucible, the combination Comprising, a housing disposed to be tilted between a horizontal position for admitting the electrode thereto and a vertical position in aligned seating relation with the' Crucible for feeding the electrode thereto, a structural frame disposed Within the housing, an endless chain disposed for operation Within the housing, the structural frame cooperating to support the chain for lengthwise movement in the housing, means carried by the chain for receiving and holding an end of the electrode and effecting movement thereof in response to movement or the chain, a plurality oi pads carried by the chain in spaced relation to one another, the pads being disposed to progressively engage a surface oi the electrode as the electrode is moved into the housing to support the electrode during such movement, and roller means carried by the electrode holding means disposed to cooperate with the structural frame to limit movement oi the holding means to a predetermined path to thereby maintain the electrode in a substantially central position with respect to the Crucible when the housing is in the vertical position.

'7. In a i'urnace structure for use in melting a consumable electrode in a Crucible, the combination comprising, a housing disposed to be tilted between a horizontal position for admitting the electrode thereto and a vertical position in aligned seating relation with the Crucible for feeding the electrode thereto, an endless chain disposed in the housing for lengthwise movement therein, clamping means carried by the chain for receiving and holding an end of the electrode and eiiecting movement oi' the electrode in response to movement of the chain, a plurality of pads carried by the chain in spaced relation to one another, the pads being disposed to progressively engage a surface of the electrode as the electrode is moved into the housing to support the electrode during such movement, channel guide members disposed in opposed relation lengthwise of the housing, and roller menibers carried by the electrode clamping means disposed to seat in the opposed channel members and cooperate therewith to limit the movement of the clamping' means to a predetermined path of movement to thereby maintain the electrode in a substantially central position with respect to the Crucible when the housing is in the vertical position.

8, In a furnace structure for use in melting' a consumable electrode in a Crucible, the combination comprising a housing disposed to be tilted between a horizontal position for admitting the electrode thereto and a. vertical position in aligned seating relation with the Crucible for feeding the electrode thereto, a substantially rectangular structural frame disposed within the housing, an endless chain disposed for operation Within the housing along one side thereof, means carried by the structural frame disposed to cooperate with the endless chain to support the Chain in operative position, clamping means Carried by the chain for receiving and holding an end of the electrode and eiecting movement of the electrode in response to movement of the chain, a plurality of pads carried by the chain in spaced relation to one another, the pads being disposed to progressively engage a surface of the electrode as the electrode is moved into the housing to support the electrode during such movement, means carried by the Clamping means disposed to engage the structural frame to cooperate therewith in limiting horizontal movement of the clamping means when the housing is in the vertical position and provide a predetermined vertical path of movement of the clamping means in response to movement of the chain, the electrode being free of the spaced pads when the housing` is in the vertical position whereby the electrode is supported in operative relation with respect to the Crucible by only the clamping means.

9. In a furnace structure for use in melting a Consumable electrode in a Crucible, the combination comprising, a housing disposed to be tilted between a horizontal position for admitting the electrode thereto and a vertical position in aligned seating relation with the Crucible for feeding the electrode thereto, an endless chain disposed for lengthwise movement in the housing, means carried bythe Chain for receiving and holding an end of the electrode and effecting movement of the electrode in response to movement of the chain, and a plurality of pads carried by the chain in spaced relation to one another, the pads being disposed to progressively engage a surface of the electrode as the electrode is moved into the housing to support the electrode during such movement, the holding means being disposed to support the electrode in a su'bstantially vertical position out of engagement with the pads when the housing is in a vertical position.

References Cited in they ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,121,578 Winter et al June 21, 1938 2,423,714 Leonard ca July 8, 1947 2,529,319 Thys Nov. 7, 1950 2,541,767 Herres et al. Feb. 3, 1951 2,640,860 Herres lll -l June 2, 1953 

